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Nutrisystem Nation: Week 1

Week 1 on Nutrisystem was a complete success. I weighed in last Monday and stepped off the scale in complete awe, I couldn’t believe the number the scale read… I lost 7.4lbs my first week on the program. I had planned on having a bit of a splurge for dinner as a reward for behaving during the week but when I saw the results, I changed my tune a bit. I didn’t want to undo all my hard work for that week. It definitely had me excited about what I could accomplish with the time I have left on Nutrisystem, which is is 3 months and 3 weeks. At first, I really questioned if I could really do this. Could I go 4 months eating packaged food? I wasn’t really sure initially but this first week on the program answered that question. I feel confident that I can do this for a few reasons.

The first is that I’m not relying solely on Nutrisystem’s food and I didn’t understand that until I received my chosen entrees and read through all the materials that came with my first delivery. I add fresh fruits, vegetables, protein, carbohydrates and fat (small amounts) to every meal. The first week my additions were mostly raw but I have started to change things up by steaming broccoli and roasting asparagus here and there. Sometimes it feels like it’s too much food but the good thing about that is I honestly am never hungry, which is a good thing because the portion size of the entries leaves a little to be desired but that’s also because we’re just use to much larger portions these days. This is also a bit of re-training for me.

The other reason I feel I can do this is because I can go out and enjoy myself with friends and family at a restaurant if I want to, it just involves making different choices. I imagined having to bring an entree with me if I went to a family dinner at my moms as I often do and that thought made me a little sad. I really enjoy food and the thought of missing out on my mom’s amazing cooking for 4 months just seems so hard! I have yet to test my resolve against mom’s cooking but I like that I can bring an entree to my mom’s house one weekend and then indulge a bit the next. Nutrisystem realizes that it is not realistic to expect that those on the program stick to their meals 100% of the time.

If you’re wondering how the food tastes, I’m happy to report that it is good and I’m enjoying it. There has only been 1 entree that I decided I would not finish, it was their Cream of Broccoli soup but it was a matter of my personal taste. I’m sure there are others who would probably enjoy that soup. I received a mix of pantry stables and frozen entrees. I have been alternating the pantry and frozen items for dinner and have liked everything I’ve tried so far. The Macaroni & Cheese with Salisbury Steak impressed me because I did not expect any flavor from this entree but it was there, as it has been in the other entrees. I had not tried any of the frozen breakfast or lunch items yet but I will get there. I’m assuming they taste better than the dry pantry items so I’m saving them for the end of the month.

My friends and I have been having discussions about how affordable the program is and if I could afford to continue with it after this 4 month period is over. When I was not paying attention to what I was eating, I was the take out queen. I wouldn’t get take out every day but if I did, I would start the day with a latte from Starbucks, spending $4-$5 there. Then I would grab something for lunch for work from the deli nearby, spending maybe $10 there. Then for dinner, I’d go to a fancier grocery store and spend maybe $15 for something prepared there. At the end of the day, I would have spent maybe $30. Some days would be less, work might get my lunch or coffee for me but if you added it all up, I would spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $600 on food… at least. Obviously it is not good to continue this way. Now I’m spending about $50 a week on fruits, vegetables, proteins and carbs to add to my rotation.

My mom is drilling it into me that need to continue with the program when my four months are up and I’m definitely thinking about it, especially when I think about how I spend my hard earned money on what I eat. If you’re curious how much the program costs, Nutrisystem has this comparison on their website that compares them to their competitor… who I don’t think has a light Salisbury Steak that tastes as good as Nutrisytem’s.

My next weigh in is tomorrow afternoon after work. I have to admit, I’m a little nervous about it. My first week I was completely focused on the program and this last week has been a busier one for me. I think I got a little cocky too, like I was a pro at this when I’m really not. I didn’t get all my water in every day and I didn’t write things down as well as I did the first week, tracking is really a key part of the process. I can’t stress enough how writing things down really, really helps. It definitely helps make me more aware and accountable, even if it’s just to my journal… well, and now you. Plus, I had a few meals out last week but I think I made good choices during those meals. Wish me luck tomorrow!

Would you like to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem too? Visit Nutrisystem today or call 1-888-853-4689. Nutrisystem is providing their program and support services free of charge for my participation in the Nutrisystem Nation Blogging Program.